How to talk to friends and family
It can be really tough when you are faced with an unknown condition such as an adverse effect from surgery or a medical device – It can feel very lonely and difficult to talk to friends and family about. Especially if it includes the word Vagina, as it does for some of us. However, it is important that our loved ones are informed so that we can reduce our isolation by sharing our experience.
Mesh injury often affects not only mental health, physical health but mobility also; the ability to engage in activities and to perform the simplest of daily tasks can be drastically reduced. Trying to articulate this to friends and family can be tough, i urge you to try, be honest, use media articles, complications lists, invite their curiosity, if you don’t feel heard seek out a mental health professional for support. Download, print and give to your loved ones
Friends and family
Supporting anyone who is chronically ill or in pain can take its toll on relationships. It can be so tough to watch a loved one suffer, unable to live their life to the fullest.
Mesh injury impacts not only the mesh injured person but it affects their family, friendships, jobs and their ability to feel useful or good about themselves. Many families have been torn apart by this international medical disaster through no fault of their own, due to financial strain and the lack of support and awareness in the community. It is a tragedy.
Wives, husbands, mothers and fathers are reporting daily, that families are being torn apart as a result of their suffering, their angst at not being able to be intimate with their partners and the deep sadness at not being able to play with their children or grandchildren…
The caring role requires a lot of patience and empathy which can be very draining for the most even tempered of us. Tempers can be frayed and our support reserves can deplete over time.
If your loved ones are struggling invite them to take a break and look after themselves, sometimes we need someone to talk to, there is a National Carers Counselling Programme that offers free support.